Dental Post-bac help

[izzy025]

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Looking into info for a younger sibling, poor academic record first few yrs... but stepped it up in the later end... GPA sci 2.5 ish 18-19 on DAT exam, looking for academic enhancing post-bac friendly for dental aplicants...
need some solid advice I'm a practicing anesthesiologist and really don't know much of the post bac programs for dental admission.

what advice do u guys in dental schools think would be helpful?

 

[mkdds]

Looking into info for a younger sibling, poor academic record first few yrs... but stepped it up in the later end... GPA sci 2.5 ish 18-19 on DAT exam, looking for academic enhancing post-bac friendly for dental aplicants...
need some solid advice I'm a practicing anesthesiologist and really don't know much of the post bac programs for dental admission.

what advice do u guys in dental schools think would be helpful?

Well, the deadline for the UCSF post bac program has passed for fall 2006 , but he could certainly apply next year....on the other hand it's not bad to look up barry university's MS program or Boston University's MS program in the biomedical sciences if he wants to start from fall.....good luck...

 

[AT12]

You should contact Univ of Pennsylvania Post-Bac program. Tuition is reasonable (about $1,000 per class) and the program is pretty solid. It sounds like your brother or sister needs to take more science courses to increase the science gpa. Cost of living in Philly is better than NYC or Boston as well (if you are considering programs on the East Coast). There a good number of dental post-bacs at U.Penn.

Go to www.upenn.edu, look up academic programs, under college of general studies, post-bac programs

It may not be too late to start classes in the fall. Students can go full-time (4 courses) or part-time (1-2 courses) per semester. Classes are held in the evenings for all post-bacs, so students can do research or hold part-time or full-time jobs or study for MCAT or DAT during the day.

After taking 6 courses, they provide a committee letter that is attached to 5 letters of recs.

Send me a private message if you have more questions.

 

[izzy025]

Does U-Penn take GPA in the 2.5 range is the question, thanks for the advice.... will look into penn but whats the feeling on requirements?

 

[AT12]

I'm not sure about min sci gpa requirements. I would contact U.Penn post-bac program and have your sibling apply. Also, try to contact the directors of the program to get a better feel if your sibling will be a good fit for the program. If I remember correctly, they do take into consideration if there is an upward trend toward an increasing gpa or if there was unusual circumstances why the gpa might be low. They will also look at the DAT score. There are numerous essays on the application so the directors of the program can get a clear understanding of the applicant.

 

[Veneto]

I would do a search of master's programs in biomedial science. Most programs with this title that can be found at Osteopathic Medical schools have some kind of Post-bac enhancement program or certificate that are designed for medical students but will work as well for dental students. I applied for one and it is still open for the fall of 2006 and I am trying to get another to hold open their program for me as well. If you are a minority or economincally challenged than check the dental school websites for their programs, most for this fall will already be past the deadline thought.

 

[izzy025]

Thanks a ton guys, anyone need any anesthesia let me kno LOL... any thoughts on simply taking upper level bio/chem courses at a local university (Alfred University, NY) would these grades be averaged into ones cum gpa... just a thought a good way to save money and to take classes part-time... i've heard of gusy for medicine taking the informal route any thoughts?

 

[sidewalkman]

I wouldn't apply to Penn with a 2.5. Their minimum overall GPA is a 3.0, and from what I've seen they're fairly strict with that requirement. You can apply, but the odds are against you there.

As for the informal route, yeah, that's fine. Lots of low GPA students do that when no formal program will accept them.

 

[AT12]

I believe U.Penn is looking at the overall gpa to be at least 3.0.....I'm not sure about science gpa. I would contact the program directors before I would totally write off applying to the program.

Taking upper level science courses is a good way to go. I wouldn't jump right into a masters. If your sibling has a low science gpa, it seems like there might be gaps in his or her understanding of undergrad science material. Doing a post-bac or taking upper level undergrad courses at a university will allow him or her to strenthen some areas.

The bonus of a post-bac program is that they can guide you through the application process.....provide a commmittee letter, etc. If he/she can still go back to his/her undergrad and get this, then they won't need a structured post-bac. Just try to take a fair amount of upper level science coures and do well in them! Don't worry about shadowing or working in a dental office as much. Focus on the books and the grades. As the grades and the gpa goes up, then increase your time shadowing a dentist.

Hope that helps!